increment

noun

in·​cre·​ment ˈiŋ-krə-mənt 

ˈin-

1

: the amount or degree by which something changes

especially : the amount of positive or negative change in the value of one or more of a set of variables

2

a

: one of a series of regular consecutive additions

b

: a minute increase in quantity

c

: something gained or added

3

: the action or process of increasing especially in quantity or value : enlargement

Did you know?

Increment is used in many technical fields, but also nontechnically. Incremental increases in drug dosages are used for experimental purposes. Incremental tax increases are easier to swallow than sudden large increases. Incremental changes of any kind may be hard to notice, but can be very significant in the long run. Rome wasn't built in a day, but was instead built up by increments from a couple of villages in the 10th century B.C. to the capital of the Mediterranean world in the 1st century A.D.

Synonyms

• accretion
• accrual
• addendum
• addition
• augmentation
• boost
• expansion
• gain
• increase
• more
• plus
• proliferation
• raise
• rise
• step-up
• supplement
• uptick

Examples of increment in a Sentence

They increased the dosage of the drug in small increments over a period of several weeks.

Fines increase in increments of $10.

The volume is adjustable in 10 equal increments.

Recent Examples on the Web

While videos have already featured quarter-speed options (1x, 1.25x, 1.5x, and so on), the update will allow for adjustments in 0.05 increments. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2024

Playback speeds are particularly popular among podcast listeners, who may prefer to speed up the video slightly to take in the conversation more quickly, and the new product will be customizable to 0.05 increments. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Oct. 2024

The latest: Final repaving started on Sept. 30 in three- to four-block increments and is expected to wrap up by mid-October, ahead of an Oct. 26 celebration. —Madalyn Mendoza, Axios, 10 Oct. 2024

The jailhouse calls, some 20 hours worth, came in 15-minute increments from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, Calif. —Emily Palmer, People.com, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin incrementum, from increscere to increase

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing increment

• annual increment
• unearned increment

Kids Definition

increment

noun

in·​cre·​ment ˈiŋ-krə-mənt 

ˈin-

1

: a growth especially in quantity or value : increase

2

a

: something gained or added

b

: one of a series of additions

incremental

ˌiŋ-krə-ˈment-ᵊl

ˌin-

adjective

Medical Definition

increment

noun

in·​cre·​ment ˈiŋ-krə-mənt, ˈin- 

1

a

: something gained or added

the most common form of leukocytosis is that in which the increment is in the neutrophilic leukocytes

—W. A. D. Anderson

b

: one of a series of regular consecutive additions (as of growth or spread of disease)

2

: the amount or degree by which something changes

especially : the amount of positive or negative change in the value of one or more of a set of variables

incremental

ˌiŋ-krə-ˈment-ᵊl, ˌin- 

adjective

incrementally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb